Law enforcement officials allowed a woman at the house to call a relative to take away her children before she was placed in handcuffs, put in a van and taken away.

The raid was part of sweeping federal indictments that were unsealed Wednesday, charging 55 people with various violations of federal narcotics and weapons charges in Warren and the surrounding area. At the same time, 42 people were charged in state court on similar charges.

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Of those, 23 were arraigned in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

The indictments came after a nearly yearlong undercover investigation that officials said targeted numerous drug-trafficking organizations in Warren, Youngstown and surrounding areas.

Turnbaugh said what he has seen around his home is nothing to what he has seen while living on the South Side of Youngstown or in the Westlawn area of Warren.

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Some of those arrested in Wednesday’s drug investigation await their arraignments in the Trumbull County Common Pleas Court in Warren. Tribune Chronicle / Joe Gorman

"From what I've seen around here, I feel pretty safe around here," he said. "So long as they don't come to my house, I'm not very concerned."

One block away, on Kenilworth S.E., law enforcement officials raided a home, but the person they were looking for was not there.

Bertha McDougal, who lives on Homewood, said this was not the first time homes in her neighborhood were raided. After she moved into her home last October, officers surrounded her home, looking for someone who previously lived there.

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State charges

Those indicted on state charges Wednesday before Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge Andrew Logan. All defendants had not guilty pleas entered for them.

U.S. v. Valentino Thomas Sr. et.al.; all 21 defendants are charged in count 1 with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine.

Valentino Thomas Sr., 41, Detroit, distribution of heroin (x3), use of a phone in commission of a felony.

Anthony L. Ector Jr., 29, Warren, distribution of heroin (x21), use of a phone in commission of a felony (x21).

Derrick Peete, 22, Detroit, distribution of heroin (x2), use of a phone in commission of a felony.

Lewis C. Powell II, 33, Warren, distribution of heroin (x4), distribution of crack cocaine, felon in possession of a firearm (x14), possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number (x2), unlawful dealing of firearms, felon in possession of body armor, use of a phone in commission of a felony.

Bobby Covington, 26, Warren, distribution of heroin (x3), use of a phone in commission of a felony (x4).

Brian Thomas, 31, Detroit, distribution of heroin (x2).

Quintus Sellers, 24, Warren, distribution of heroin (x3).

Hosea Willis, 21, Warren, distribution of heroin (x3), use of a phone in commission of a felony.

Valentino Thomas Jr., 22, Warren, distribution of heroin (x2), use of a phone in commission of a felony.

Ricky Walker, 54, Warren: conspiracy and dealing firearms without a license, felon in possession of a firearms, possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

Henry Walker, 60, Warren: conspiracy and dealing firearms without a license, aiding and abetting a felon in possession of a firearms, possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

Goodwin Lofton, 48, Warren: felon in possession of a firearm.

"I did not know the person," she said.

While pleased that some guns and drugs have been taken off the streets, McDougal admits having mixed feelings about Wednesday's raids.

"They are going to take these people away, but there will be others who will take their place," she said.

Mayor Doug Franklin said the 10-month investigation has taken drugs, guns and drug dealers off the city streets.

"We are reinforcing our commitment to their safety and removing violence from our streets," the mayor said.

Franklin said it has been frustrating for him when city residents called for something to be done about a particular drug or gun problem in their neighborhood because he knew there was an ongoing investigation that, in some cases, would address their concerns.

"We could not tell what was going on," he said. "We were attacking the problem."

He emphasized that this roundup of suspects and their contraband is not the end but a part of an ongoing investigation.

"The partnerships we have developed over the past 10 months are in place," Franklin said. "This is a work in progress."

Franklin said there was no one incident but a series of violent actions that convinced the city to seek help.

"We knew from past practices we would be more effective if we were able to work beyond the city's borders," he said. "The criminals do not stop at our borders, so it was important to look beyond our boundaries."

Councilman Greg Bartholomew, D-4th Ward, said he is pleased something is being done and some drug houses may be closed, but adds these are probably a fraction of the true number that are in the city.

"Hopefully, this will give people confidence that we are going after these guys," he said.

Vince Flask, D-5th Ward, said he hopes this raid sends a message to anyone thinking of coming to Warren to participate in illegal activities.

"I guess we realized that guns and drugs were a problem in the city, but I did not expect us to take care of it at one time," he said.